Bahrain police fire teargas, stun grenades to disperse protesters

A Bahraini anti-government protester gestures toward riot police, unseen, as she covers her face against tear gas in the narrow market streets of the capital of Manama, Bahrain, Oct. 12, 2012.

Reuters reports — Police in Bahrain fired teargas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing anti-government protesters marching in the old market area of central Manama on Friday, witnesses said.

About 10 people were arrested, they said.

Thousands took part in a second march along a stretch of highway outside the capital Manama, which passed without incident, witnesses said. This one was permitted by the authorities, unlike the march in central Manama.

The main opposition bloc al-Wefaq organized the larger march, under the slogan "Stop the shedding of our blood; we will not give up our demands."

Hasan Jamali / AP

A masked Bahraini anti-government protester stands in clouds of tear gas fired by riot police during clashes after police dispersed a march through narrow market streets of the capital of Manama, Bahrain, Oct. 12.

Mazen Mahdi / EPA

Bahraini anti-riot policemen detain a man as opposition protesters attempt to march in the old market place of Manama, Oct. 12.